[Ten Forward]: Halloween Plot (sneaking this in belatedly)! OTA

[stark_spangled]

This will not go down in the books as one of Steve's favorite weekends ever.

The costume has been humiliating enough, meeting people from his world, his future, while in said costume would be the cherry on top of the rotten sundae. Or you would think, anyway. But putting a soldier whose metabolism burns four times faster than normal on a candy-only diet for a few days, and you've got a recipe for one miserable man.

And -- because of course there's more -- that candy is apparently booby trapped. Steve thought the war was over. Just tell that to his hair, which is currently a limp shade of green -- and not a nice green, but a sad, tarnished penny green. It just adds to the lackluster expression on his face as he sits off in the darkest corner he can find, concentrating on keeping his knees together.

He doesn't think he's given women enough credit over the years. This is a lot harder than it looks.

--------

Once he's had plenty of time to brood, he decides no good ever comes from hanging back or hiding. He's heard about there being missions to find replicators that will produce real food somewhere on the ship, and he's interested in what the result of those missions has been. He can't be the only one on this boat who needs a square meal.

"Has anyone located a working replicator yet?" he calls to the room. "Or any food stores we can tap into?"


[ooc: The bit after the linebreak is for Dylan Hunt in particular, but consider either scenario OTA for any character! Steve's dressed as a USO girl, and my but don't those pumps make his legs look shapely? Powers and personality remain the same, save for the colored hair. :)]

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[therightpartner]

For once, Peggy really doesn't know how to react. It's tempting to laugh, not at the outfit but at how startled he looks. But she knows how embarrassed Steve must be and laughing will only make that worse. "I didn't mean to startle you."

There has to be a way to make this easier for him. It takes a moment, then she latches onto an idea. "It's very enlightened for you to try out a lady's costume. See what it's like for us to deal with the whims of fashion."

It isn't until Steve compliments her on the costume that she realizes how nervous she'd been. Barnes had said he would like it, but she still hadn't been certain. "Thank you, Steve." Noticing his staring, she gives him a wry smile. "Should I turn around so you can get the full effect?"

[stark_spangled]

He can tell she's tossing him a bone, and he appreciates it, no matter how obvious it is. She's always been a classy broad, way out of Steve's league. So he lets out a puff of air, smiling lopsidedly, and drags his hand through his green hair.

"Well, my mother once fought to wear trousers. Maybe the apple didn't fall so far from the tree," he says, still looking a little miserable but at least he's trying to make the best of it. He rocks a bit unsteadily, and tugs at the (way, way too short) hem of his skirt. "I have a whole new appreciation for everything you can do in pumps. These are not comfortable."

But she's back to teasing him, and he's back to blushing. "I wouldn't want to be vulgar, Peg. I just meant you... you..."

He rubs the back of his neck. "You wear the uniform well."

[therightpartner]

When Steve smiles, she relaxes and a smile tugs at her lips. He might be embarrassed but he isn't going to let the situation get the better of him. "A truly noble endeavor.

"Tugging at it will only make it seem worse." That was from experience even if she didn't mind short skirts and had even considered some of the shorter styles she had seen recently. She's about to speak when that compliment momentarily distracts her. "Thank you, Steve." The words are a accompanied by a soft smile that few get to see. "Dealing with the heels takes practice but I'm sure you'll master it if we're forced to keep these costumes until the holiday is over. I'll help, if you'd like."

Noticing the blush, Peggy can't resist letting him see the full effect, turning slowly for him. "There's nothing vulgar about it. It is your design, after all. Or a variation of it."

And, she truly does want his opinion of it, to know that she hasn't accidentally offended even though she hadn't chosen the costume. "I've been hoping that it won't disappear when all this is over. If you don't mind me having it."

[stark_spangled]

There's barely any hesitation before he answers. "It's as much yours as it is mine."

And he means that. Peggy, Bucky, the rest of the Commandos, Philips, Erskine -- they're all Captain America. Steve's just the guy they tailored the suit for.

Everything else she says just makes him all the more bashful. Jeez, she looks like a million bucks. It's almost embarrassing how he can't keep his eyes off her, and it's not just the suit, it's that smile she reserves for only a chosen few. The goofy expression on his face suddenly slides into alarm.

"How long is the holiday?" he asks. "I'm not gonna be in this thing for days, am I?"

[therightpartner]

"Steve, it's not that simple." For a moment, Peggy is at a loss for words. She might have supported him, but Steve was the one who had given a certain set of ideals life. Even if the serum hadn't worked, she believed that he would have found a way to live to give others hope. "What I did wasn't as important enough for it to be mine as well."

Even used to having others give her appreciative looks, at using that as an advantage in her work, it's different having Steve focus on her in that way. It causes her heart to stutter almost painfully... until his expression turns to shock and Peggy has to stifle a laugh.

"A day, perhaps two. No one gave me a clear answer on how long this might last. I doubt anyone knows." Amusement quickly turns to empathy as she realizes what is commonplace for her is a trial for him. "I promise I'll help you with the heels. And the skirt."

[stark_spangled]

He blinks, genuinely a little surprised by her words. He thought she knew.

"Peggy," he says, taking a small step forward (ignoring the way his heel wobbles). "It is to me. You stood beside me in basic. You taught me how to fight. When the project was shelved, you're the one who came to me; you're the one who convinced Howard to fly us when no one else would give me the time of day. I could have spent the whole war selling bonds if it wasn't for you. And you--"

He hesitates. He ducks his head, swallowing hard, and rubs the back of his neck to give his hands something to do. With a little shake of his head, like he's steeling himself to take that next step, he continues. "You inspired me to do better."

He frowns at his feet. Walking through minefields and parachuting out of planes doesn't make him break a sweat, but telling the gal he left behind that he loves her? His tongue feels like wet cotton.

He'd like to think that no matter what, he would have made it. Say Erskine had never see him that day, he would try and try and try again until he got someplace to give him better than a 4F. It would have been an honor to die for his country, whether it was out on the front lines or in some field hospital with gangrene. It didn't matter. It was the right thing to do. But he knows better than to believe he'd be half the soldier he was without the guidance he was given. Things could have worked out differently, but he's glad they didn't.

"That's what Captain America is," he says, finally flicking his eyes up to meet hers. She was important. She is important. And she always will be. He swallows again, and forces the corner of his mouth to uptick in a smile. "And I promise not to step on your toes."

He makes no promises about the skirt, though.